New charity, Inclusive Books for Children (IBC), has announced an illustrious judging panel for its inaugural awards.
Jeffrey Boakye, author, speaker and educator; A.M. Dassu, author, campaigner and director of Inclusive Minds; Aoife Dooley, writer, illustrator, comedian and graphic designer; Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, content creator and leading advocate for LGBTQ+ and disability rights; Farrah Serroukh, interim executive director, Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE); and Sonali Shah, author and TV and radio broadcaster will form the esteemed lineup of children’s literature experts and inclusivity advocates judging the awards.
Celebrating the charity’s mission for positive change in the children’s book space, a total prize fund of £30,000 will be awarded to authors and illustrators of the best books demonstrating inclusivity in three categories: books for babies and toddlers aged one to three, picture books for ages three to seven and children’s fiction for ages five to nine.
Co-founders of Inclusive Books for Children, Marcus and Sarah Satha, said: “We’re thrilled to reveal our amazing judging panel, each and every one of whom is an expert in their field and a heartfelt advocate for inclusivity. We can’t wait to find out who will take home the prize in each category!”
The Inclusive Books for Children Awards are open to UK publishers, free to enter and will close on Friday, October 27. The shortlists will be revealed in January 2024, with winners announced at a ceremony in March 2024. More details on eligibility and how to submit an entry can be found here.
This latest awards announcement follows the charity’s website launch, supported by official ambassador Nadiya Hussain MBE. The website presents hundreds of expert reviews and recommendations of inclusive children’s books, in an easy-to-navigate format that allows users to find titles featuring protagonists with specific characteristics, browse booklists curated by theme or types of representation, and much more.
Nadiya Hussain MBE said: “As a mum, I’m always trying to make sure that my children can see themselves represented in the media they consume and Inclusive Books for Children is the perfect platform for finding exactly what I’m looking for.”
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